Food Fact Or Fiction?

Enacting the food security legislation is a landmark achievement in giving right to food to millions, Thomas said at the opening session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on World Food Security at Rome, according to an official release. “It (the food law) marks a paradigm shift in approach to food security in India — from being a welfare measure to a rights-based approach,” he said, adding that with this legislation, India has shown its commitment to ensuring food security for all. Thomas asserted that with recent trends in higher food grain production and sufficient stocks, the country would be able to implement the act successfully. Reiterating India’s commitment to contain food prices volatility, he said the government has taken several measures – both administrative and fiscal – to contain price rise of essential commodities and these are “showing promising results”. The recent analysis of Indian market data shows declining prices of food during August 2013 as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, he said. Extending India’s support to international efforts for achieving food security, the minister said it is always at the forefront to contribute to the food aid programmes to needy countries. “India has removed restrictions on export of cereals especially rice and wheat. By this measure, during 2012-13, more than 10 million tonnes of rice and 5 million tonnes of wheat have been exported from India. This has helped many nations in meeting their requirements of food grains,” he said. The food security bill was passed by the Lok Sabha Aug 26 while the Rajya Sabha cleared it Sep 2. The largest such scheme anywhere in the world, the food security law gives two-thirds of India’s 1.2 billion population the right to subsidized grains.

Unhealthy food marketed to youth through athlete endorsements

Analyzing data collected in 2010 from Nielson and AdScope, an advertisement database, the study reveals that adolescents aged 12 to 17 viewed the most television ads for food endorsed by athletes. Previous research by public health advocates has criticized the use of athlete endorsements in food marketing campaigns for often promoting unhealthy food and sending mixed messages to youth about health, but this is the first study to examine the extent and reach of such marketing. Researchers selected 100 professional athletes to study based on Businessweeks 2010 Power 100 report, which ranked athletes according to their endorsement value and prominence in their sport. Information about each athletes endorsements was gathered from the Power 100 list and AdScope. Researchers then sorted the endorsements into categories: food/beverages, automotive, consumer goods, service providers, entertainment, finance, communications/office, sporting goods/apparel, retail, airline, and other. The nutritional quality of the foods featured in athlete-endorsement advertising was assessed, along with the marketing data. Of the 512 brands associated with these athletes, food and beverage brands were the second largest category of endorsements behind sporting goods. We found that LeBron James (NBA), Peyton Manning (NFL), and Serena Williams (tennis) had more food and beverage endorsements than any of the other athletes examined. Most of the athletes who endorsed food and beverages were from the NBA, followed by the NFL, and MLB, said Marie Bragg, the studys lead author and a doctoral candidate at Yale. Sports beverages were the largest individual category of athlete endorsements, followed by soft drinks, and fast food. Most 93% of the 46 beverages being endorsed by athletes received all of their calories from added sugars. Food and beverage advertisements associated with professional athletes had far-reaching exposure, with ads appearing nationally on television, the Internet, the radio, in newspapers, and magazines. The promotion of energy-dense, nutrient-poor products by some of the worlds most physically fit and well-known athletes is an ironic combination that sends mixed messages about diet and health, said Bragg. Bragg and co-authors assert that professional athletes should be aware of the health value of the products they are endorsing, and should use their status and celebrity to promote healthy messages to youth. Other authors include Swati Yanamadala, Christina Roberto, and Jennifer L.

Ruane and Mark Berman Barricades around memorials on the Mall werent doing much to keep veterans and other visitors out. The shutdowns unexpected closures Stephanie Merry, Fritz Hahn and Maura Judkis If you had plans to golf at East Potomac Park, bike along the towpath or see a show at Fords Theatre, think again. In fact, if one thing has become clear to District food truck owners since the government shutdown began Tuesday, its that they rely heavily on federal workers to keep their businesses afloat. Some of the trucks most popular locations LEnfant Plaza, the Navy Yard, Federal Triangle and streets surrounding the State Department are near federal buildings full of workers who go out to lunch. Carl, 48, put his situation into sharp relief: He and Jacob, 34, were married in March, and about a month later they launched Carolina Q, a business into which they sank all of their savings. The truck had just started to break even and prove that it could become a moneymaker for the couple. But until this month, neither Jacob nor Carl had taken cash out of the business, and theyve only taken small amounts. Whats more, Carl isnt even certain he will receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Now, we really need to take money out of the business, said Carl, a resident of Mount Vernon Square. We put all of our savings into this business. Its kind of a perilous time now. On Thursday afternoon, Layth Mansour was pacing near his trucks, Philadelphia Steak Bites and Georges Buffalo Wings , which were parked on C Street SW, just outside the LEnfant Plaza Metro station. The nearby Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration buildings were apparently hit hard by the shutdown; Mansour said sales at both trucks were down 65percent. His business, he added, employs 12 people. Im not going to be able to afford the employees, Mansour said as he stood on the nearly empty sidewalk. Im losing money if I come out now. Mansour figured that if the shutdown was not resolved by Monday, hed pull his trucks off the street, essentially putting a dozen more people out of work.

D.C. food truck operators feel the pinch of a government shutdown

Dieting trick or mealtime misperception? Read on iStockphoto Matthew M. F. Miller, CTW Features Posted: Monday, October 7, 2013, 1:06 AM Dont believe everything you eat or is it dont eat everything you hear? Regardless, there are plenty of food myths that get passed around every day without any thought about whether or not theyre actually true. Here, Heather Mangieri, licensed dietitian, nutrition expert and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, and Lynn Grieger, registered dietitian and personal fitness coach in Manchester, Vt., evaluate which of these foodisms are fact and which are fiction. Eating Salsa Burns Fat Salsa can surely burn tongues, but can it burn fat too? Possibly, but it depends on how its made, Mangieri says. Studies have shown that capsaicin the kick behind chili peppers can speed up metabolism by up to 25 percent for up to three hours after consumption. Other hot peppers, like jalapenos or habaneros, have the same effect, and so adding them into a salsa recipe can help burn more calories and fat. While those unable to tame the fiery flavor of hot salsa wont burn off calories, Mangieri reassures that even mild salsa has its benefits: Its a great source of vitamin A and C and is an easy way to get an extra serving of vegetables. Blotting Pizza Makes It Considerably Less Fattening More coverage You feel how you eat? While using a napkin or paper towel to blot visible grease from pizza may soak up a few fat grams, Mangieri says, the exact amount is unknown and will not result in making the pizza considerably less fattening. Its true that every little bit can help reduce fat and calories, but Mangieri suggests that the best solution is to simply skip high-fat meats as toppings and opt for vegetables instead. Fat-Free Foods are Loaded with Sugar When food manufacturers remove the fat from food, sugar is often used as a flavor replacement. That doesnt mean its necessarily better, though.